Cayuga County-area law enforcement take part in domestic violence training

When the Socci and Bell families were asked to speak to law enforcement about domestic violence, both wanted to leave officers with the same message: Show compassion.

On Friday morning, the Soccis and Bells shared similar stories with members of the Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police. It was part of a special training program to teach law enforcement new techniques to investigate and prosecute domestic violence cases in the county.

First, John and Tina Socci spoke about their daughter, Katie, who was killed in Auburn on June 14, 2011. The couple recalled the months and days leading up to Katie’s death, describing how her ex-boyfriend, David McNamara, had begun stalking the mother of his child and going through her trash.